PROVO -- The 2008 MWC Champion BYU women’s soccer team was honored with six prestigious awards at the annual Cougar Club Y Awards on Tuesday.
All-American Katie Larkin, now playing professionally with the WPS Los Angeles Sol, was named Female Athlete of the Year. Larkin led the Cougars to an undefeated MWC regular season championship, MWC tournament championship and the second round of the NCAA tournament her senior year.
Larkin was also awarded the Female Crowd Pleaser award for her performance on the field during her career as a Cougar. The 2008 MWC Offensive Player of the Year, Larkin led the Cougars as they defeated in-state rival Utah, 5-0, in the regular season and 1-0 in the championship game of the MWC tournament. Larkin was named All-American three times and was the MWC tournament MVP as well.
All-region defender Jessica Carter also received two awards. Carter was recognized with the Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete award, which is presented to a senior who has clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship. Carter is a two-time academic All-Region scholar and a four-time MWC Scholar athlete.
A two-time All-MWC First team selection, Carter was also awarded the Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport award, which is awarded to the student athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of sport in athletics and in their life. Carter anchored BYU’s stingy defense and was a Hermann award candidate in 2007.
Freshman All-American goalie McKinzie Olson was named the Female Freshman of the Year. Olson played extremely well in goal, ranking fourth nationally in save percentage and 10th nationally in goals-against-average. Due in part to her strong play, the Cougars allowed only one goal at home and one goal in conference play.
Head coach Jennifer Rockwood was honored as the Coach of the Year. Coach Rockwood’s Cougars were undefeated at home and in conference play, and won both the MWC regular-season and tournament championships. The team finished with an 18-5-1 overall record, and was ranked as high as 19th in the nation. BYU advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 11th time during Coach Rockwood’s tenure, and advanced to the second round for the fifth time. Rockwood’s all-time record of 228-70-21 ranks her in the top-10 all time winningest coaches in NCAA history based on winning percentage.
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Female Athlete of the Year
Given to the female athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication, and determination, leading them to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both
teammates and fans.
Katie Larkin
- Three-time All-American, four-time All-Region, and four time MWC All-Conference First-Team.
- Led her team to the regular season and MWC Championships, receiving MWC Offensive Player of the Year and MWC 2008 Tournament MVP honors.
- Drafted by the Los Angeles Sol of the new Women’s Professional Soccer League, also a member of the U.S. National U-23 Team.
Female - Crowd Pleaser
Presented to the female athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.
Katie Larkin
- Scored the game-winning goal in both games against Utah. She scored the first goal in BYU’s 5–0 regular-season win and the only goal in the Cougars’ 1–0 win to clinch the 2008 MWC Tournament Championship.
- Was three-time NSCAA All-American, the MWC Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2008 MWC Tournament MVP.
- Member of the U-23 National Team; was drafted by the Los Angeles Sol in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.
Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete
The oldest recognition bestowed upon a BYU female athlete; this award is annually given to the senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.
Jessica Carter
- Two-Time All-Region–NSCAA, team leader, and two-time MWC First Team.
- Hermann (soccer’s Heisman) Award Candidate in 2007.
- Two-Time Academic All-Region–NSCAA & four-time MWC Scholar.
Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport Award
Presented in memory of Dr. Leona B. Holbrook; this award is given to the senior female athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life.
Jessica Carter
- Two-time All-West Region, leader of the team, and Hermann (soccer’s Heisman) Award Candidate in 2007.
- Two-time MWC First Team, two-time Academic All-Region, and & four-time MWC Scholar Athlete.
- Anchored BYU’s Defense to place eighth nationally in shutout percentage.
Female Rookie of the Year
This award is given to the freshman student athlete who contributes the most in their true freshman or red-shirt freshman year.
McKinzie Olson
- Named Freshman All-American.
- Ranked eighth nationally in total shutouts and was ranked fourth nationally in save percentage out of 318 Division I teams.
- Allowed only one goal in MWC play.
Coach of the Year
The award is annually given to an outstanding head coach.
- Awarded her third conference Coach of the Year award in 2008, Rockwood’s guidance helped the team to an 18-5-1 overall record.
- The team finished undefeated during the MWC regular season, and topped the Utes in the MWC Tournament Championship game, earning the 1-0 victory.
- BYU advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 11th time under Rockwood.
- Rockwood’s 14-year career record of 228-70-21 ranks her in the top-10 all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history based on winning percentage.
- Rockwood has won seven Conference tournament championships and six regular-season championships.
- Her program has produced nine All-American athletes and three who have gone on to play professional soccer in the United States.